A newfound success / Clowe scores two more goals as Sharks dominate Coyotes

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, January 14, 2007

Photo: Paul Connors

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San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau, top, lands a punch as he battles with Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Ballard, bottom, in the first period of a hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors) less

San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau, top, lands a punch as he battles with Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Ballard, bottom, in the first period of a hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Glendale, ... more

Photo: Paul Connors

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San Jose Sharks goalie Vesa Toskala, of Finland, makes a save against the Phoenix Coyotes in the third period of a hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. Toskala faced 30 shots as the Sharks defeated the Coyote,s 4-1.(AP Photo/Paul Connors) less

San Jose Sharks goalie Vesa Toskala, of Finland, makes a save against the Phoenix Coyotes in the third period of a hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. Toskala faced 30 shots as the Sharks ... more

Photo: Paul Connors

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San Jose Sharks right winger Jonathan Cheechoo, left, is checked by Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski, right, as Cheechoo attempted to circle behind the Coyotes' net in the first period of a hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors) less

San Jose Sharks right winger Jonathan Cheechoo, left, is checked by Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski, right, as Cheechoo attempted to circle behind the Coyotes' net in the first period of a hockey game ... more

Photo: Paul Connors

A newfound success / Clowe scores two more goals as Sharks dominate Coyotes

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2007-01-14 04:00:00 PDT Phoenix -- It beats long odds, but right now the solution for a right wing to play with Joe Thornton comes from Newfoundland.

Ryane Clowe continued his red-hot goal-scoring streak Saturday that's basically come out of nowhere, much like the number of NHL players who hail from his part of Canada. Clowe added two more as the Sharks effectively wiped away the ugly memory of an 8-0 loss here two weeks ago with a 4-1 triumph over the Coyotes.

"I've played with some guys from Newfoundland. They're all alike, too. They're not sophisticates, to say the least," coach Ron Wilson chided.

It doesn't take a lot of brains to know when skating on a line with a playmaker like Thornton all Clowe has to do is head to the net and get open. He did that on each of San Jose's first two goals and not only does he have eight goals in five games, but the Sharks have won five of six since that confidence-shaking loss here to Phoenix.

"With those guys the good thing is to get open," Clowe said. "I've been feeling more comfortable the last three games."

The 24-year-old native of St. John's, Newfoundland, was left wide open to one-time a backhand feed from a double-teamed Thornton 8:07 into a first period the Sharks completely dominated. San Jose didn't allow a shot until only 46 seconds remained.

"If we hadn't given them a power play they wouldn't have had a shot in the first period," Wilson said. "It's good for us, but it's also bad because you know they're going to come out harder in the second because that's embarrassing to get only one shot at home."

The visitors lulled a bit, allowing Phoenix back into the game in the middle period when Shane Doan potted a power-play goal at 9:41. Defenseman Kyle McLaren went for the passer, Steven Reinprecht, behind the goal line and Josh Gorges was late to cover Doan in front.

But just less than five minutes later Clowe was in the slot again, this time getting full extension from his stick to redirect a Doug Murray feed past Phoenix goalie Curtis Joseph for a 2-1 lead at 14:28.

"I think I was covered, I know I had my hands together at the top of my stick," Clowe said.

"That goal did settle things down. It was a little bit of a fluky goal that deflected and floated over Cujo, but we'll take it," Wilson added.

The coach said the goals are nice, but there's another reason Clowe is having success.

"More importantly, he's working away from the puck and that's why we're giving him an opportunity," Wilson said. "There's been times when he's lost battles in our end. The first thing you learn is about getting the job done in our own end and he's doing that and taking advantage of this opportunity."

"He's taking full advantage of his opportunities and he's playing well," captain Patrick Marleau added. "He's getting to the right spots, the scoring areas and he's shooting the puck and controlling the puck down low. You like to see that."

The Sharks added two more in the third period as Matt Carle, back after a minor-league assignment, scored his first goal since Nov. 4 on a follow shot. Clowe had the primary assist, his first helper since Nov. 18. And Jonathan Cheechoo scored on the power play at 11:29.

Thornton enjoyed a three-point night. His primary assist on Clowe's first goal represented his 400th career assist and 600th point, all accomplished in 635 games.

Goalie Vesa Toskala stopped 29 shots to raise his season record to 19-6.

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